Page 145 of Key of Kink

Sebastian blinked. “Why?”

“Because if you live with a six-year-old, that’s basically a survival requirement.”

Sebastian considered this. “They’re… acceptable.”

Quinn nodded approvingly. “Good. I respect a man with Lego competence. Just watch out for the dreaded piece of stray Lego that gets stuck in your foot when you step on it in the middle of the night.” He chuckled. “You know, the one that needs surgery to remove it.”

“That sounds way too specific,” Julian said with a smile.

“Just ask my mum. Except I may have exaggerated about the surgery bit.”

I was loving every minute of this.

Sebastian sighed. “Honestly, the worst part of unemployment is Elias asking why I’m home all the time.”

Quinn raised an eyebrow. “What do you tell him?”

Sebastian shrugged. “I said I’m conducting a long-term study on the structural integrity of Devon’s sofa.” The table erupted, and he grinned. “Okay, I didn’t really say that, and I have my own room, but it sounded good, right?” Another sigh. “Devon’s been amazing. He was there for me after a nasty breakup with my ex.”

“Breakups suck,” Quinn murmured. Then he smiled. “But you seem like someone who lands on his feet.”

Sebastian raised his glass. “I’m working on it.”

I drank in every word, every look. Quinn listened to Sebastian with the same open curiosity he’d shown everyone else, as though the details of our lives actually mattered to him.

“Oh, hi, Julian!” A handsome man stood at the end of our table. “I thought I spotted you here.”

Julian froze for half a second, then gave the guy a polite smile. “Hello.”

The man looked around the table, clearly amused. “I didn’t expect to see you in a pub.”

Julian’s smile sharpened. “I do occasionally leave the house. As you well know, given our last… meeting.”

He laughed awkwardly. “I might give you a call next week. If you’re available.”

Another polite smile. “You’ve got my number. I’ll check my diary.” When the guy walked off, he shuddered. “I think I can guarantee I’ll be busy.”

Finnley stared after the guy. “Was that an ex?”

Julian snorted. “I’d have to have been in a relationship to have an ex.”

“Well, you know each other from somewhere,” Elliott murmured.

That earned him a superior eye roll.

“Is he—or was he—a client?” Milo asked. Julian stared at him, and Milo chuckled. “I’m not stupid. You said a while back that your ‘appointment’ would pay your month’s rent. That leads me to one of a few possibilities. Either you’re a high-powered consultant⁠—”

Julian arched his sculpted eyebrows. “Do I look like I’m one of those?”

“—or you’re a sex worker. A very expensive one.” Milo smiled. “Which I can believe. I’ve seen the way you dress.” Julian continued to stare at him, and Milo shrugged. “And if you are, so what?”

“What he said,” Liam added. The others murmured in agreement.

Julian sighed. “Fine. I’m a sex worker. And yes, I’m expensive, because I’m bloody good at what I do.”

Quinn nodded slowly. “That makes sense.”

“It does?”